Country Living June 2016 Midwest by American MainStreet Publications

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JUNE 2016

Official publication of your electric cooperative www.ohioec.org

Working for you Local co-op pages Charm confidential Backstage at Tecumseh! Snowville Creamery

4 19-22 24 26 32

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inside 4

F E AT U R E S

4 POWERFUL CO-OP VOICES Our government affairs department ‘tells it like it is’ in Columbus and Washington.

24 CHARM CONFIDENTIAL This town in Amish Country deserves its name.

26 BEHIND THE SCENES AT TECUMSEH! Our outdoors editor takes you with him as he joins the cast for a single show.

32 MEET THE ‘DAIRY EVANGELIST’ At Snowville Creamery, milk is a particular passion for Warren Taylor.

34 FROM CHEWING GUM TO PVC We share four innovations with Buckeye roots.

24 DEPARTMENTS 2 C O O P E R AT I V E C O N N E C T I O N 4 P O W E R S TAT I O N 12 G A R D E N I N G L A N D S C A P E 14 WOODS, WATERS, AND WILDLIFE 16 F O O D S C E N E 28 OHIO ICON 3 0 THE 7 COOPERATIVE PRINCIPLES 32 C O - O P P E O P L E 36 J U N E C A L E N DA R 39 O H I O Q U I Z 40 M E M B E R I N T E R AC T I V E

Next month...

NRECA turns 75

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Cooperative Connection

PAT O’LOUGHLIN, PRESIDENT & CEO • OHIO RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES & BUCKEYE POWER

LATER THIS YEAR, you’ll see Ohio’s electric cooperatives’ latest power generation project spring up, along with the OurSolar logo. We plan to install community solar projects in several locations around the state. Ohio’s electric cooperatives have long supported an “all of the above” approach to power generation. We rely on traditional fossil fuel sources, such as coal and natural gas, for most of your power supply. Our generation mix also includes a diverse and growing set of renewable energy sources. Today, your cooperative receives power generated by hydroelectric facilities at Niagara Falls; wind turbines in Iowa; agricultural biodigesters; and Ohio landfills that collect methane. This year, we’ll begin to add solar-generated power to our mix. We’ll install U.S.-manufactured solar photovoltaic panels at several cooperative locations. The OurSolar project offers solar power generation on a community basis, rather than on individual member rooftops. The community solar project approach not only reduces the cost of the project through economy of scale, but also avoids the headaches of home maintenance that rooftop solar systems can bring. In total, we plan to add approximately 1 percent to our generation capacity through the OurSolar initiative. While the power generated by the

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project will cost more than our traditional sources, overall cost should remain relatively fixed over the expected 20-year life of the system, because it’s fueled by sunshine. As those who live in Ohio are uniquely aware, during much of the year, solar power’s potential is somewhat limited by shorter daylight hours and cloudy skies. Over the years, however, we’ve learned that solar power provides an energy source that better matches your usage pattern, as opposed to power generated by wind. Conversely, our wind turbines consistently produce twice as much power at night as during the day, while you use twice as much power during the day than you do at night. It’s a difficult problem to overcome. Your electric cooperative will continue to work for you, providing a reliable, affordable, clean, and safe supply of electricity, both day and night. 

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June 2016 Volume 58, No. 9

Ohio Rural Electric Cooperatives 6677 Busch Blvd. Columbus, OH 43229 614-846-5757 fromourmembers@ohioruralelectric.coop www.ohioec.org Patrick O’Loughlin Patrick Higgins Rich Warren Magen Howard Adam Specht

President & CEO Dir. of Communications Managing Editor Associate Editor Member Services & Communications Consultant Chris Hall Communications Specialist Nikki Heath Communications Specialist Nila Moyers Administrative Assistant

COUNTRY LIVING (ISSN 0747-0592) is the official publication of Ohio Rural Electric Cooperatives, Inc. With a paid circulation of 294,359, it is the monthly communication link between the electric cooperatives in Ohio and West Virginia and their members. Nothing in this publication may be reproduced in any manner without specific written permission from Ohio Rural Electric Cooperatives, Inc. All rights reserved. Alliance for Audited Media Member

National advertising representatives: NATIONAL COUNTRY MARKET, 800-NCM-1181 State advertising representatives: Sandy Woolard 614-403-1653 Tim Dickes 614-855-5226 The fact that a product is advertised in Country Living should not be taken as an endorsement. If you find an advertisement misleading or a product unsatisfactory, please notify us or the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, Consumer Protection Section, 30 E. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43215, or call 1-800282-0515. Periodicals postage paid at Columbus, OH and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to editorial and advertising offices at: 6677 Busch Boulevard, Columbus, OH 43229-1101

Cooperative members — Please report any change of address to your local electric cooperative.

ohioec.org Check out the mobile-friendly website and digital edition of Country Living, as well as other timely information from Ohio’s electric cooperatives. Online exclusives Focus on travel We offer a package of travel-related stories this month, ranging from geocaching to traveling with grandchildren. Look under “Online Exclusives” under the Country Living button at www.ohioec.org.

Ohio travel Want to spend the night in a caboose? You can do just that in a unique set of accommodations called Fiddlestix Village. Click on the cover of the current issue and go to page 19.

Recipes Check out the vegetarian recipes submitted by Cooking Editor Margie Wuebker and Nutrition Editor Diane Yoakam under the “Food Scene” button.

In addition • Read how to “Wash the energy waste out of your laundry.” • Learn more about inventions and innovations with Buckeye roots.

In this issue: Avon (p. 9) Morrow County (p. 14) Charm (p. 24) Chillicothe (p. 26)

Highway 127 Yard Sale (p. 30) Snowville Creamery (p. 32)

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POWER STATION

Powerful Co-op Voices Our government affairs department ‘tells it like it is’ in Columbus and Washington B Y N A N CY G R A N T

KEEPING OHIO’S ELECTED OFFICIALS up-todate on the concerns of electric co-op members is a year-round job for Marc Armstrong and Spencer Waugh. As director and manager, respectively, of the government affairs department of Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives, they’re at the center of today’s biggest issues. They play a vital role in helping elected officials and regulators understand

the impacts of proposed legislation and regulations on families and businesses in all parts of the state. Whether chatting on the phone or speaking face-to-face with legislators and their staff members in the hallways and hearing rooms of government buildings in downtown Columbus or Washington, D.C., they have one goal in mind — keeping your concerns about reliable and affordable electricity service front and center in the conversation.

The co-op difference

Spencer Waugh (left) and Marc Armstrong confer inside the Ohio Statehouse prior to meeting with legislators. 4

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“We spend a lot of our time talking about what electric cooperatives do,” Waugh says. “We explain how we’re different from investor-owned utilities and how our business model works.” Waugh notes that many elected officials in Columbus and Washington come from more urban and industrialized parts of Ohio, with little personal experience with or knowledge of electric cooperatives. Armstrong says he and Waugh often have to begin with the basics. Every two years, newly elected representatives replace others who’ve left office due to term limits. As those new legislators converge in Columbus, Waugh

and Armstrong must educate them on the cooperative model, explaining that although electric co-operatives are not subject to Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) jurisdiction in terms of rates, the co-ops still must follow sound business practices and careful accounting rules. “A lot of our work is educational,” Armstrong says. “We spend a lot of time explaining how the cooperative business model fits into the energy world. We talk about how we are member-owned and member-regulated, and how our not-for-profit business structure serves our members very well.” Waugh notes that each time a new legislative issue comes up, he and Armstrong work tirelessly to advise officials how various courses of action would affect co-op members. Very often, the facts they provide result in changes. “What we do is develop relationships with elected officials,” Waugh says. “The fact that we’reoften successful in our legislative efforts is due to the way we go about our work. We make it possible for officials to visit individual co-ops and meet with our CEOs at frequent intervals. Marc and I represent all 24 distribution co-ops

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and our generation and transmission co-op. Working together with the members, we are more successful than any of us could be just on our own.”

Deciding Ohio’s energy future Armstrong and Waugh face a different challenge when they go to Washington to explain the concerns of Ohio’s electric co-op members to members of Congress. “Our challenge and our goal is to bring our message to lawmakers and decision makers in Washington,” Armstrong says. “We try to be an advocate for people who may not feel that their interests are being accounted for.” In early May, Armstrong and Waugh, along with staff members from the statewide association and eight distribution co-op CEOs, visited Washington to meet with lawmakers to discuss the latest legislative issues. Armstrong says, “The positions we take on issues are based on ensuring that we have the most affordable rates for our members, while also assuring the electricity we provide is reliable and environmentally responsible.”

Armstrong and Waugh have taken an active role in Ohio’s opposition to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Power Plan announced last fall. “We have been very aggressive with federal lawmakers, explaining the devastating effects that (Above) Representatives from Ohio’s electric cooperatives met the Clean Power Plan with Senator Jay Hottinger (R-District 31) in May. (Below) Senawill have on Ohio if it tor Lou Gentile (D-District 30) meets with Marc Armstrong and is implemented,” Arm- other cooperative leaders. (Photos by Best Light Video) strong says. “We are part of the lawsuit challenging the le- Your voice, your vote gality of the plan. We think it will “Co-ops Vote,” a new, recently have a very damaging impact on our launched nonpartisan effort will members’ rates. The EPA’s plan will provide facts for co-op members on also cause job losses in many of our their way to the ballot box. The goal communities.” of the new venture is to boost voter In February, the U.S. Supreme turnout in cooperative areas, makCourt issued a “stay” for the Clean ing sure members exercise their Power Plan, hitting the pause button right to vote. Watch for details later until the arguments in the many this summer, then make plans to lawsuits can be heard. But Armstudy the issues and cast your ballot strong and Waugh continue to moni- in November.  tor the situation, which may not be NANCY GRANT is a member of the resolved for several years. Cooperative Communicators In the meantime, during this pres- Association. idential election year with many seats up for grabs in Ohio’s legislature and Congress, Armstrong and Waugh have another important duty. “We’re reaching out to co-op members to help educate them about our issues and where the candidates stand,” Waugh says.

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Here comes the sun The OurSolar program will bring the power of the sun into your home

BY MIKE PRAMIK

WHILE MANY PEOPLE endorse the benefits of solar power, the idea of their actually installing and maintaining a costly rooftop grid might never see the light of day. Through a community solar program called OurSolar, members of Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives will soon will be able to plug into the sun without the drawbacks of doing it themselves. As part of OurSolar, Buckeye Power is beginning to build new solar panel arrays at several locations around the state, bringing more emission-free energy to Ohio’s electric cooperatives. “We know that we have lots of members who would like renewables to play a larger role in their energy supply,” says Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives Marketing Director Janet Rehberg. “This is a great effort to give them the most affordable option.” While Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives remains committed to traditional sources of power, such as coal and natural gas, the company continually seeks innovative ways to ensure a balanced approach toward energy production and generation. “Our power portfolio reflects a growing interest in renewable energy sources,” says Ben Wilson, manager of power delivery engineering for Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives. “In addition to

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solar, sources include wind, hydropower, and biomass fuels.” With a total capacity of 2.1 megawatts, the OurSolar project will become part of the diverse energy resources provided by Ohio’s electric cooperatives. Individual installations will range from 25 kilowatts to 600 kilowatts. A typical rooftop array is from 5 to 10 kilowatts. Wilson says, “Systems will be installed at various locations across the state that offer a nice, open spot, without requiring much land; have sight to the sun; and are close to electrical facilities, so that they can be connected to the electric grid and pull power from it.” Wilson says that the expected cost of installation will be lower than that, per watt, of the typical rooftop project, averaging about half as much per watt. OurSolar also eliminates the drawbacks that come with installing solar panels on one’s home, such as aesthetics; high costs of installation and maintenance; and physical constraints such as trees and chimneys blocking the panels. The first community solar system project will be in Delaware, Ohio. The entire project is expected to take a year to roll out across Ohio. 

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Stuck on you: Avon holds its annual sticky festival B Y JA M I E R H E I N

HEAD TO THE AVON HERITAGE DUCK TAPE FESTIVAL from June 17 to 19, and you’ll see what ingenuity, creativity, and crazy can do if you have enough Duck Tape® to do it. Twenty-five rolls can be turned into a giraffe, for example. It takes much less for a prom dress or a hat. For a bigger-than-a-human Mr. Potato Head, you’ll need quite a bit. And yes, in Avon, it’s Duck tape, not duct tape, named for the product put out by the local company, Shurtech Brands. Highlights of the festival include the Duck Tape Parade, displays of Duck Tape-made wonders, and a Duck Tape fashion show to promote the adhesive tape made right in town at ShurTech Brand. If you’re so inspired, look for the Ducktivities section, where you can create a Duck Tape item to take home. This year’s theme? “Celebrating American Pride” this year’s theme. Live music and food booths are part of the fun. For more information, go to www.ducktapefestival.com.

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Member interactive: Send us your photos and stories! If we use your photo, you’ll get a Country Living tumbler: If we use your essay, you’ll get:

For August, send us by June 15, essays on “My (not so) secret obsession.” For September, send us by July 15, photos of “Sports superstars.”

Guidelines: 1. Stories no longer than 150 words 2. Digital photos should be a minimum of 300 dpi 3. One entry per household per month 4. Send a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want anything returned 5. Include your name, mailing address, and the name of your electric co-op 6. E-mail: fromourmembers@ohioruralelectric.coop By U.S. mail: Editor, Country Living, 6677 Busch Blvd., Columbus, OH 43229

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GARDENING LANDSCAPE

Top 10

tomato tips

S TO R Y BY K R I S W E T H E R B E E ; P H OTO S BY R I C K W E T H E R B E E

ONE OF THE JOYS of summer for many gardeners is taking that first bite of a tomato, picked ripe from the garden. Store-bought tomatoes are just not the same. A tomato left on the vine to ripen in the sun oozes with flavor. Here are 10 ways to make your homegrown tomatoes the highlight of your kitchen.

1. Rev up the flavor with the right location Tomato flavor is enhanced by sunshine, so be sure to choose your brightest and sunniest spot that receives at least six hours of daily sun. Otherwise, the flavor will never fully develop, despite your best efforts.

2. Cater to plant needs Plants grow best in a rich and easily crumbled soil that is well drained. They also prefer slightly acidic soil, with a pH between 6.2 and 6.8, for optimum growth and flavor.

3. Optimize the soil Whether your soil is sandy, heavy clay, or any stage in between, you can always improve

the quality and texture of your soil by digging in a shovelful or two of compost, aged manure, or other organic matter into each planting hole. Organic matter will lighten the soil and allow water, air, and nutrients to flow more freely in clay soil; sandy soil is better able to retain water and nutrients. Organic matter also creates a welcoming bed for roots to thrive and grow, while increasing the soil population of beneficial microorganisms that help fight disease. Another way to optimize the soil is the use of flavor-enhancing minerals. You can sprinkle a handful of granite dust or rock dust into each planting hole, or apply at the rate of 10 pounds per 100 square feet. One tablespoon per hole of magnesium-rich Epsom salt improves flower production.

4. Mulch for healthier plants Mulching your plants can affect the overall flavor and yields of the fruit. A 2- to 3-inch layer of mulch applied around plants will help keep soil moisture levels more even, which in turn will

help prevent fruit cracking and blossom end rot. Mulched plants also means fewer weeds, which can rob tomatoes of needed moisture and nutrients in the soil. Common organic mulch materials include straw or shredded leaves. Use black plastic mulch to increase soil temperatures up to seven degrees, which can be a bonus in cooler weather. If you simply want earlier yields, a reflecting red plastic mulch can increase fruit yields and outperform black plastic by up to 20 percent.

5. Grow plants upright Whether staked or caged, grow your tomatoes upright for best flavor and production. Lifting fruit and vine off the ground not only protects plants against soilborne diseases, but the fruits will also ripen quicker. The tomatoes will be easier to find and harvest than plants that are sprawling across the ground. Grow plants on a trellis, or place two cattle panels together to form an A-frame and secure them together with wire for a sturdy, portable trellis that can be easily stored.

6. Water wisely Keep your tomato plants happy by watering them deeply and consistently so that the soil moisture levels stay fairly even. Plants lacking in moisture will produce fruits lacking in flavor. Fluctuating soil moisture levels can also interfere with the uptake of calcium, resulting in blossom-end rot in some varieties. 12

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Of course, mulching plants helps to keep the soil moisture levels more even. So does the use of drip irrigation or a soaker hose to water your plants, which will help reduce surface evaporation by delivering the water directly to plant roots. Ease up on the frequency of watering once the fruits begin to change color. Too much water applied at this stage will dilute the flavor of the fruit. Keep the flavor intact by allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings.

7. Feed the fruit How often you feed and the type of fertilizer you use can make the difference between producing weak-tasting tomatoes or richly flavored fruit. After your initial feeding of compost or aged manure at planting time, you may need to fertilize again about four weeks later, depending on the quality of your soil. Then give plants another dose of nutrients, if needed, by side-dressing with additional compost, aged manure, or organic fertilizer when the first fruits are about the size of a marble. Tomatoes thrive on potassium and phosphorus. However, too much nitrogen can result in reduced yields and weakened flavor. What’s more, excess nitrogen can also make the plants more susceptible to pests and diseases. So be sure to choose a fertilizer specifically for tomatoes or one that is low in nitrogen.

8. Harvest for peak flavor All your efforts will be lost if the fruit is harvested too soon. The fruits can be downright disappointing if harvested while the shoulders are still green or even partially green — unless, of course, you’re growing a tomato variety that is green or is supposed to have green shoulders. The ideal time to harvest for flavor is a few days before the tomatoes are fully ripe, which is when the fruits have developed their color but are still somewhat semifirm.

9. Keep the flavor intact Bring your harvested tomatoes indoors and then set them in a fruit basket or holder on the kitchen counter. After a day or two, they should be ready to eat and enjoy. Tomatoes harvested in this manner will be more flavorful, with better texture than fully ripe tomatoes that are plucked from the vine when soft.

10. Take the “no chill” approach For best flavor and texture, always store tomatoes at room temperature. Chilling the fruits by storing them in the refrigerator will reduce sweetness and overall flavor and will result in a somewhat mushy texture. 

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WOODS, WATERS, AND WILDLIFE

The Cedar Creek

Mastodon What’s in your backyard? B Y W. H . ‘ C H I P ’ G R O S S

CLINT WALKER, a member of Consolidated Electric Cooperative, has always had a fascination with elephants, so much so that he even has a collection of miniature elephant figurines from around the world. Imagine, then, his surprise and excitement upon discovering the skeleton of an extinct, prehistoric elephant-like creature buried on his farm — a mastodon. “In 2013, I had just installed a new sod waterway on one of my fields,” Walker says. “About three weeks later, a friend of mine wanted to see the project, so I drove him back to the site — about 300 yards off the road. When we walked over to the ditch, there was a giant tooth exposed on top of the ground in plain sight.”

Consolidated Electric member Clint Walker holds a piece of mastodon bone excavated from his farm in Morrow County. 14

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After some quick Internet research, Walker thought what he had found might be a mastodon tooth, so he immediately contacted the Ohio History Connection in Columbus. Two professional archaeologists arrived the next day, confirmed the find, and referred Walker to Ashland University geology professor Nigel Brush. Brush, his assistants, dozens of students, and volunteers descended upon the Morrow County site and excavated it over a period of weeks, painstakingly removing only about 4 inches of soil per day from various 6-by-6-foot grid plots. What they found was definitely a mastodon skeleton, but unfortunately, it was far from complete. The bones and tusks had deteriorated, weathering over the years into hundreds of small fragments, the largest only about 8 inches long. “What the scientists and archaeologists found fascinating, though,” says Walker, “was that one of the bones showed definite cut marks, signs of the animal having been butchered with stone or flint tools.” In other words, this particular mastodon had likely been killed, then butchered, by Paleo-Indians. Scientists say that finding evidence of interaction between humans and mastodons is extremely rare. Carbon-14 dating techniques showed that it all

happened some 13,000 years ago. The condition of the mastodon’s teeth indicated that it was an adult male, about 40 years of age. Mastodons were browsers, much like today’s elephants, eating the leaves and small branches of trees and shrubs. But the habitat in which this animal lived looked much different than Ohio does today. Massive glaciers, some possibly a mile thick, had recently covered most of the land. Mastodons lived south of the edges of the giant ice sheets, following them north as the glaciers gradually melted and receded. Taiga, a forest type similar to what is now present in northern Canada and Alaska, dominated Ohio’s landscape. It was this habitat that attracted mastodons and other herbivores, which in turn attracted predators — including humans. Archeologists now believe that Paleo-Indians may have played a role in the extinction of some large prehistoric animals, including mastodons. An interesting fact that Walker learned from the archaeologists is that protein-residue analysis is now so sophisticated that even a small chip of a flint tool from thousands of years ago can be tested for traces of blood. If any is found, it can then be determined what type of animal that blood

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came from — deer, elk, mastodon, etc. Walker also mentioned that a complete skeleton of a mastodon recently sold in Japan for more than $100,000. “But I don’t think we’ll be getting that kind of money for ours,” he jokes. Walker has no plans to sell the mastodon remains. Instead, he and a few volunteers will continue excavating the site to see what else might turn up, then add those items to the collection of bones. Surprisingly, the Cedar Creek Mastodon is not the first prehistoric find in Morrow County. Nearly a century ago, in 1919, a complete skeleton of a woolly mammoth was discovered near

the village of Fulton. It was pulled from an ancient lake bed, buried 16 feet below the surface of the ground. As with Walker’s mastodon, it was a large tooth that was first uncovered. The landowner at the time, John W. Powell, charged people to see the huge skeleton — 25 cents per adult, 10 cents per child — which he kept in his barn. He then traveled with the bones and tusks by train, displaying them in several Midwestern cities. In 1922, the woolly mammoth skeleton was sold to The Ohio State University for $300; it was eventually transferred to the Chicago Academy of Sciences. Both woolly mammoths and their cousins,

mastodons, once roamed most of North America. But you don’t need to travel to Chicago to see a mastodon skeleton. At the Ohio History Connection’s museum in Columbus, you can see a full-size, reconstructed display of what’s known as the Conway Mastodon, complete with enormous tusks!  Outdoors editor W. H. “CHIP” GROSS, a member of Consolidated Electric Cooperative, is interested in hearing from you about any outdoor story idea you might like him to investigate. His e-mail address is whchipgross@gmail.com; his website is www.chipgross.com.

This is not the mastodon that Clint Walker found on his farm! This whopper, also known as the Conway Mastodon, is on display at the Ohio History Center in Columbus. It was found in a swamp in Champaign and Clark counties in 1887. (Photo courtesy of the Ohio History Connection)

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FOOD SCENE

Eat your lima beans! And your peas!

With fresh produce season starting soon, vegetable recipes add exciting options for mealtime

S TO R Y B Y M A R G I E W U E B K E R ; P H OTO S BY C H E R Y L B AC H

ROASTED VEGETABLES Cooking spray 1/2 lb. asparagus, cleaned 4 Tbsp. olive oil, divided 1/2 lb. whole mushrooms 1/2 lb. baby carrots 1 medium onion, cut into 1/2-inch wedges 1 large red or green bell pepper, cut into strips 2 cups small Brussels sprouts, cut in half 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided 1 tsp. salt 1 tsp. pepper Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Line 15 x 10 x 1-inch pan with foil. Spray with cooking spray. Place asparagus on bottom of pan; drizzle with small amount of olive oil. Toss other vegetables with remaining olive oil, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Spread over asparagus; bake 28 to 30 minutes or until vegetables are tender, stirring after 15 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining cheese before serving. Serves 3 to 4.

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FRESH VEGETABLES from Ohio’s heartland will be arriving soon at farmers’ markets, as well as roadside stands. It won’t be long before popular farm operations lure shoppers with the likes of freshly picked asparagus, spinach, green beans, peppers, and tomatoes, among other produce. This is a special time, especially for people who have chosen to pursue vegetarian lifestyles. For some the preference definitely runs in the family. Worthington-area residents Mark and Kacy Bonaventura followed their daughter’s lead when it came to meatless meals. Bridget, now a resident physician at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, was a fifth-grader at the time she made the decision, and she’s never looked back. Fresh fruits and vegetables rank high on the family’s shopping list, along with pasta, rice, beans, and soy products. Although Kacy initially purchased cookbooks, she quickly decided it was more fun to experiment in the kitchen, instead of following somebody’s recipes.

“It’s easy to be creative with all the wonderful produce at this time of the year,” the busy realtor says. “Although restaurants offer more options nowadays, I make it a practice to pack our lunches. When we do go out to eat, we make a meal out of sides.” Seasonal produce frequently stars in roasted vegetables — a family favorite. Kacy also plans ahead, by cooking rice in vegetable broth and storing it in the refrigerator to speed meal preparation. Linda Duesterhaus and husband Scott Parsons of rural Tipp City also embrace vegetarianism as a healthy way of eating. Their garden yields lots of produce for special dishes, like a vegetable stew known as ratatouille. Many other ingredients for meal plan-

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ning come from local farm markets and a food cooperative at their church. Linda’s culinary efforts involving a hearty vegetable chili reaped a second-place award in a chili contest that also drew meat-based entries. Some people who tasted the spicy concoction had no idea they were eating vegetable-based sausage, instead of the real thing. “I probably didn’t eat right in the beginning, but I have learned along the way,” she says. “I like to experiment, and it isn’t hard to work around recipes that call for meat.” The family, which includes two grandchildren, enjoys cashew cauliflower loaf on special occasions. It replaces turkey on Thanksgiving Day and adds special flavor in sandwiches the day after.

Even for those of us who don’t choose a vegetarian lifestyle, there are plentiful recipe options that make vegetables far more than a ho-hum meal choice. Add some

excitement to mealtime. Choose vegetables!  See additional vegetable recipes at www.ohioec.org.

CASHEW CAULIFLOWER LOAF EASY RATATOUILLE

1 cup chopped onion 1 cup grated cauliflower 2 Tbsp. olive oil 1 cup ground cashews 1 cup grated cheddar cheese 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley 2 eggs Salt and pepper to taste

1/4 cup olive oil 1-1/2 cups diced onion 1 tsp. minced garlic 2 cups diced eggplant (unpeeled) 2 cups diced sweet peppers (any color) 2 cups diced summer squash (yellow and green) 1-1/2 cups peeled, seeded, and chopped tomatoes 2 Tbsp. thinly sliced fresh sweet basil 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley Salt and pepper to taste In a large soup pan or sauté pan, heat olive oil and add onion and garlic. Stir occasionally until caramelized. Add eggplant and cook 5 minutes. Add peppers and squash; cook 15 more minutes. Add tomatoes, basil, parsley, salt, and pepper; cook 5 more minutes. Stir well and serve. If desired, add some freshly grated Parmesan cheese and serve with crusty bread. Makes 3 to 4 servings.

Fry onion and cauliflower in olive oil until golden. Mix together with remaining ingredients. Shape into a rounded loaf on an oiled baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees until firm (about 20 minutes). Serve hot or refrigerate loaf before slicing for sandwiches. Note: Double the recipe if it is to be prepared in a loaf pan. Makes 3 to 4 servings.

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FOOD SCENE

Choosing a ‘very veggie’ lifestyle BY D I A N E YOA K A M , R D, L D

Vegetarianism comes in varying forms. There are those who avoid meat, fish, and poultry, while vegans abstain from eating all animal products, including dairy, eggs, and honey. Then there are those who are “vegetable-inclined,” basing most of what they eat around plant-based foods, while still enjoying modest portions of animal products. With careful attention to consuming a wide variety of foods and a few key nutrients, those choosing a “very veggie” lifestyle should have no problem meeting their nutritional needs. Iron stands out as a concern when making the switch to a meatfree diet. Fortunately, several options exist to meet this need, including dried beans, tofu, tempeh, chard, spinach, cashews, dried fruits, bulgur, oatmeal, and fortified cereals. Eating foods containing vitamin C, such as citrus, tomatoes, or broccoli, alongside any iron source, will increase iron absorption. Using iron cookware also adds to iron intake. Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient that may be lacking in vegetarian diets, so make a concerted effort to get enough. Some vegetarians choose to get their daily dose from animal sources, namely eggs and dairy foods. Vegans, on the other hand, must find alternatives through fortified foods, like plant-based milks, cereals, and nutritional yeast, or take a daily supplement to meet their needs. Protein sources are plentiful among plant foods. In fact, some plant-based proteins are considered complete proteins, just like meat, eggs, and dairy, meaning that they provide all nine of the essential amino acids. This includes quinoa, buckwheat, and chia seeds. Daily protein requirements are easily met by also consuming beans, lentils, nuts, nut butters, seeds, and whole grains. If you’re looking for new ways to enjoy vegetables, visit www.ohioec.org, where you’ll find recipes for eggplant lasagna, garbanzo bean burgers, and stuffed sweet potatoes.

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JUNE 2016

MIDWEST ELECTRIC, INC.

06029 County Road 33A P.O. Box 10 St. Marys, OH 45885-0010 1-800-962-3830

MIDWEST ELECTRIC, INC.

Preparing for summer storms

Payments due by the 10th of each month. Account access online www.midwestrec.com or

Android

Apple

facebook.com/midwestelectric

@midwestrec

Office Hours Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Manager/CEO Rick D. Gerdeman rgerdeman@midwestrec.com

Board of Trustees Larry Vandemark, President James Wiechart, Vice Pres. Randy Heinl, Secy.-Treas. Steve Bauer, Trustee Bob Barnt, Trustee Gary R. Knapke, Trustee Gary Profit, Trustee Roger W. Rank, Trustee Courtney Burton, Attorney

A copy of Midwest Electric, Inc.’s Articles of Incorporation and Code of Regulations is available from the co-op office and also is available online at midwestrec.com. Call us to receive your copy.

Summer is here, school is out, and families are gearing up for a few months of fun and relaxation. While summer brings much fun in the sun, it can also bring the occasional severe storm. In the event of a power outage, you can trust Midwest Electric is ready to respond. The major cause of most power outages comes from damage to power lines due to falling trees and branches. We work year-round — through rights-of-way clearing — to ensure power lines in our service territory stand little risk of being damaged by trees, branches, or other types of vegetation. Despite our best efforts, during major storms, damage can Rick Gerdeman, occur to transmission stations, substations, and power lines. Manager/CEO When this happens, our first priority is to safely restore power to as many members as possible in the shortest amount of time. We start by mobilizing our line crews and other critical staff. Every phone line available is used to take your outage report calls. The big problems are handled first — like damage to transmission lines, which serve hundreds of people. These problems must be corrected before we can focus on other areas where more localized damage may have occurred. Midwest Electric line crews inspect substations to determine if the problem starts there or if there could be an issue down the line. If the root of the problem is at the substation, power can be restored to hundreds of members at once. Next, line crews check the service lines that deliver power into neighborhoods and communities. Line crews repair the damaged lines, restoring power to dozens of people. If you continue to experience an outage, there may be damage to a tap line outside of your home or business. Make sure you notify Midwest Electric so crews can inspect these lines. We will do our best to avoid power outages, but sometimes Mother Nature has other plans. Be sure to check our website and Facebook and Twitter pages on your smartphone for the latest updates during a large power outage. 

See how you can

$100

win a $100 gift card on page 20 JUNE 2016

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MIDWEST MIDWEST ELECTRIC, ELECTRIC, INC. INC. Join Co-op Owners for Political Action to

win a $100 gift card You could win a $100 gift card of your choice by joining Co-op Owners for Political Action®. Co-op Owners is the national electric cooperative political action group that supports candidates and representatives who fight on behalf of us and our members. Co-op Owners is our best tool to get the attention of decision makers in Ohio and across the country. Just $25 a year — only $2.08 per month — makes you part of this voice for electric cooperatives. Send in the enrollment form before June 3 to qualify for the gift card drawing. The drawing will be held at our June 4 annual meeting. Members need not be present to win. If you’re already a part of Co-op Owners for Political Action, you will be included in the drawing and you don’t need to re-register. (If you’re part of Co-op Owners, your monthly electric bill has a line item that says “Grassroots-COPA.”) Co-op Owners gives you the opportunity to raise your voice on behalf of your electric cooperative. State

$100

and federal government officials make policy decisions that affect your local cooperative and your way of life. This program is an easy way for you to help determine who gets elected to make those decisions. Co-op Owners supports candidates for state and federal office — those in office now and those running for office — who will speak for and protect the interests of electric cooperatives and their consumer-owners. Your participation ensures that the voice of electric cooperatives remains strong in our nation’s capital and in the Ohio legislature. Maintaining a strong grassroots presence in the political process is instrumental to the long-term success of the electric cooperative program and the communities they serve. Co-op Owners has been instrumental in stopping costly legislation. Currently, we’re battling regulations from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that would have serious consequences on the cost and availability of electricity. 

YES! I want to help keep the voice of rural electric cooperatives heard in the state and national political process and enter the $100 gift card drawing by participating in Co-op Owners for Political Action®. Sign up for any amount below to qualify for the drawing. Please add the following amount to my monthly electric bill: ____ Regular Co-op Owners Member: $2.08 per month ($25 per year) ____ Century Club Member: $8.33 per month ($100 per year) ____ President’s Club Member: $41.60 per month ($500 per year)* ____ Other $__________________________ I affirm that my contribution has been made with non-corporate funds:

Authorization Form Return form to: Midwest Electric P.O. Box 10 St. Marys, OH 45885

Name: ____________________________________________________________________________ Address: __________________________________________________________________________ Account #:_________________________ Signature: _______________________________________ E-mail address: _____________________________________________________________________ Return to Midwest Electric, P.O. Box 10, St. Marys, OH 45885 *Federal election law requires the following information for contributions equal to or exceeding $200: Employer:_______________________________ Occupation: ________________________________

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MIDWEST ELECTRIC, INC.

SmartHub

highlights value of electricity Day to day, we have many activities going on in our busy homes — powering the electric range for breakfast, lunch, and dinner; using TVs, radios, and computers; charging video and phone equipment; and running yard equipment, all while lighting and maintaining a comfortably heated and air-conditioned home. (A home with doors constantly going open and shut, no doubt.) Like many of you who use our SmartHub e-bill site to manage your electric account, I recently logged in to review how much electricity I’ve been using. Not only how much, but when: SmartHub provides monthly, daily, and even hourly electric-use charts. And on the Average Usage page, I can learn how my electric use compares by day of the week and by hour of day. My house averages 1,592 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per month. Initially I couldn’t believe our use was that high. But then I did the math: 50 kWh per day at the incremental cost of about 10 cents per kWh comes out to $5 a day for all of that activity — what a bargain! I cannot think of any service we use that only costs $5 in a 24-hour period and provides so much in return. This quick exercise and comparison gave me an even greater appreciation for the value electricity provides not only for my family but for all Midwest Electric members. In addition to seeing the difference in use and

cost, reviewing this information made me realize I could have done an even better job setting our thermostat to a higher temperature while we’re not home. Seeing how much energy the house still consumes when no one is home also encouraged me to consider some home updates and more conscienDave Waltermire, tious habits. Energy Advisor My final thought is that Midwest Electric’s approach to recovering costs closely matches how the cooperative incurs them. This keeps revenues in line with costs and, therefore, saves many members money during hot summers and cold winters. We collect fixed costs with a costbased monthly service charge, which is the fairest way to collect revenues when we consider how members use electricity. I encourage you to use our state-of-the-art SmartHub program to review your own Usage Explorer energy data. Just go to our website, midwestrec.com, and click on the Pay Bill button. From a smartphone or tablet, search for the SmartHub app and download it for free. This is a great tool we are able to provide for free to help you understand your personal electric use and begin taking steps to make changes and save money! 

Hourly electric use charts (above) are available to all Midwest Electric members at no charge, in addition to monthly and daily use charts. The information can help members better manage, and even lower, their electric use.

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MIDWEST ELECTRIC, INC.

Midwest members donate $16,050 Members of Midwest Electric recently donated $16,050 to 18 west-central Ohio charities and community projects through the cooperative’s Community Connection Fund. Since the program started in 1998, the Midwest Electric Community Connection Fund has provided $920,333 to 747 area projects. The latest recipients are: • American Red Cross, West Central Ohio, $2,000 to provide aid for local families impacted by emergencies. • Ohio City Warrior Trail, $1,500 to build a shelter house near the trail. • House of Hope, Celina, $1,500 for materials to help build a men’s drug recovery home. • Mercer County Emergency Response Volunteers, $1,500 to buy an AED kit and trailer power pack. • Rally Point Youth Center, Lima, $1,000 to support a summer camp program. • Truth for Youth (Guiding Light Ministries), Elida, $1,000 to buy a computer and printer for the women’s shelter. • Van Wert County Master Gardeners, $1,000 for maintenance at the children’s garden. • Auglaize County 4-H Shooting Sports, $1,000 for shooting jackets and vests and archery targets. • Big Brothers & Sisters of Mercer, Auglaize, and Van Wert counties, $1,000 to renovate a room at the office into a rec room.

79th Annual Meeting Saturday, June 4

St. Marys High School, U.S. 33 & S.R. 66 Registration & breakfast: 8:15 a.m. Meeting: 9:15 a.m. Must RSVP: 800-962-3830

• $2,500 in cash prizes • Free breakfast buffet • Kids’ bounceland and games • Health fair • Q&A with co-op leaders • Display booths with local renewables and energy efficiency contractors • Learn election results (no voting at the meeting) A ballot was mailed to you around mid-May. It must be completed, signed, and received by our voting firm in Illinois by 8 a.m. June 1. Or vote online at midwestrec.com by 8 a.m. June 1. 22

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Greg Bukowski, Community Connection Fund trustee, presents a $1,000 check to Molly Hay, executive director of Big Brothers & Sisters of Mercer/Auglaize/Van Wert counties, to help renovate an office into a rec room. • Coleman Behavioral Health, Lima, $1,000 for a computer and printer for the wellness and recovery support center. • Niswonger Performing Arts Center, Van Wert, $750 to support the 2016-17 Speaker Series. • Mercy Unlimited, Wapakoneta, $600 to buy anti-fatigue mats for the donation processing center. • Van Wert County Fair, $500 to support talent for the gospel-singing tent. • Cozy Cabin Quilt Club, St. Marys, $500 to buy fleece and fabrics to make hats and quilts for cancer patients. • Auglaize County Fair, $500 to support talent for the gospel singing tent. • Lock One Community Arts, New Bremen, $350 to help fund the children’s theater production for area students. • Mercer County Job and Family Services, $250 to support the child abuse/neglect prevention program. • Wapakoneta Post-Prom Committee, $100 for prizes and other items for the post-prom event.

The Midwest Electric Community Connection Fund is a voluntary charitable program. Participating members’ monthly electric bills are rounded up to the next dollar, with the additional pennies deposited in the Fund. A board of trustees, composed of cooperative members and separate from the Midwest Electric Board of Trustees, oversees the application and allocation process. Individuals or organizations can obtain an application by contacting Midwest Electric at 419-3944110 or 1-800-962-3830.

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Charm confidential This town in Amish country deserves its name B Y DA M A I N E VO N A DA

Everything you need to know about Charm can be summarized in six words: Charm lives up to its name. What’s so charming about this tiny Amish Country destination? Let us count the ways: 1. Off-the-beaten-path ambiance Holmes County visitors typically follow St. Rte. 39 to Berlin and other Amish hot spots, but Charm is the hub of St. Rte. 557, a two-lane road that curls through the bucolic Doughty Valley. Covering about 10 miles, 557 is short in size yet long in scenery, passing through rolling hills of lush farmland punctuated by white farmhouses and black buggies that convey the essence of the local Amish-Mennonite culture.

2. Swiss tease In the late 1940s, local Amish dairy farmers needed someone who could turn their fresh milk into cheese. Enter expert cheesemaker Alfred Guggisberg, who left his native Switzerland for Holmes County, where he not only made cheese but also developed an entirely new cheese that his wife, Margaret, named “Baby Swiss.” With its agreeable taste and uncommonly small holes, Baby Swiss became an Amish Country classic, and thanks to its popularity and the Guggisberg family’s Alpine-themed enterprises, the Charm area acquired a decidedly Swiss flavor. 24

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Chimes playing soothing tunes beckon visitors to the chalet-style Guggisberg Cheese Factory (www.babyswiss.com). Its tall, balconied clock tower is a St. Rte. 557 landmark. Continuing to use milk from local farms, Guggisberg is one of the nation’s largest U.S. Swiss cheese makers, and in 2015, its premium Swiss was the U.S. Grand Champion cheese. You can watch cheese being made through a window in the factory’s retail store, which sells Guggisberg’s 40+ varieties of cheese as well as imported Swiss chocolates and cuckoo clocks. Across the road is Chalet in the Valley (www.chaletinthevalley.com), the restaurant Margaret Guggisberg started in 1983. It specializes in fondue (made with Guggisberg cheese, of course), schnitzels, Black Forest cake, and other Swiss-Austrian dishes. The cordial waitresses wear Swiss folk costumes; its menu depicts Guggeshornli Mountain; and edelweiss and alpenrose flowers decorate the dining rooms’ wooden tables and chandeliers, which Alfred Guggisberg made himself. Tucked away on a quiet country lane, the Guggisberg Swiss Inn (www.guggisbergswissinn.com) boasts comfortable accommodations, hearty breakfasts, and picture-perfect grounds, complete with a duck pond. Personable owners Julia and Eric Guggisberg, who is a master cheesemaker, also operate two exceptional on-site amenities — Amish Country Riding Stables (www.amishcountryridingstables.com), which offers guided

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horseback rides, and Doughty Glen Winery (www.doughtyglenwinery.com), whose boutique wines are available for tasting in the inn’s pleasant lobby.

3. Park-and-walk attractions Charm’s unique cluster of visitor-friendly businesses like Keim Lumber (see this month’s “Ohio Icon”) delivers eclectic shopping and dining experiences. At Charm Harness & Boot (www.charmharnessandboot.com), you’ll find a phenomenal selection of boots and shoes. Miller’s Dry Goods (www.millersdrygoods.com) is a sewing and quilting hub with thousands of fabrics and cute, locally made items like chicken-shaped pin cushions. Charm Gifts & Nature’s Herbs (330-893-4516) carries everything from cutlery to dried catnip. The homey atmosphere at Charm Family Restaurant (330893-2717) perfectly complements its comfort food fare, and almost everything on the menu — meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and even ice cream — is homemade.

4. Nearby gems Situated in a cozy little building on a hilly township road, The Pottery Niche (www.thepotteryniche.com) is worth the trip for owner Eleanor’s Gray’s treasure trove of colorful, handcrafted Polish pottery. Hershberger’s Farm & Bakery (330-674-6096) optimizes agritourism with its wagon rides, barnyard animal petting zoo, and homemade treats, while Miller’s Bakery (330-893-3002) is a simple, secluded Amish shop famous for its cheese tarts and oven-fresh pastries.

5. The Charm Countryview Inn When you turn off St. Rte. 557 and cross the small bridge leading to this inn (330-893-3003 or www.charmcountryviewinn.com), don’t be surprised if your body clock seems to slow down. Innkeepers Paul and Naomi Miller are Holmes-Wayne Electric Cooperative members who have created a hilltop haven with inviting, farmhouse architecture and panoramic views of fields, where llamas and alpacas graze. Guest rooms have

no TVs or telephones, but there are handmade quilts, help-yourself snacks and beverages, and a wide front porch lined with rocking chairs and gliders. Naomi’s familystyle breakfasts include hash browns or biscuits with sausage gravy, and Paul, a Mennonite bishop, gives a devotional lesson every morning. “Our inn,” he says, “provides a place of relaxation, where the body is rested and the spirit encouraged.”  DAMAINE VONADA is

a freelance

writer from Xenia. To learn more about Charm, contact the Holmes County Tourism Bureau at 330674-3975 or www.visitamishcountry.com.

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Behind the scenes at

Tecumseh!

B Y W. H . ‘ C H I P ’ G R O S S

Our outdoors editor takes you with him as he joins the cast for a single show

HAVE YOU EVER DAYDREAMED about what it would be like to take part in one of Ohio’s professional summer outdoor dramas? My own daydream came true last July when I participated as an onstage “extra” for one performance of Tecumseh!, conducted each summer near Chillicothe. My personal goal for the evening was to be the proverbial wallflower. In other words, try not to do anything stupid that would draw undue attention to myself and detract from the show.

I expected to be in one, maybe two scenes, but instead I ended up being involved in five! The performance began at 8 p.m., yet I was asked to arrive many hours earlier. Greeting me enthusiastically was director Jenny Male. She first got me fitted for a frontiersman costume, then took me to the amphitheater stage and walked me through the various scenes in which I’d appear. Next, to get some historical perspective and background for

Country Living’s outdoors editor, Chip Gross (pictured at left in costume) took the stage in a walkon part during one performance of Tecumseh! last summer.

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the story, I attended two back-toback tours, both open to the public. The Living History tour is only given once per week, on Saturday afternoon; Behind-theScenes tours are offered throughout the week, twice each afternoon. When the dramatic musical score that signals the opening of the show began playing that evening to a packed house, I’ll admit there were a few butterflies in my stomach. But I needn’t have worried. Male made the evening not only easy, but fun. She seldom left my side during the entire 2-1/2 hour performance, alternately ushering me from stage left to stage right and assisting me through two costume changes.

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The cast is made up of some 50 actors and six horses, all of which made me feel very welcome. Many of the cast members play more than one role, so backstage can best be described as organized chaos. As cast members come offstage, frontiersmen race to change costumes, instantly transforming into soldiers, or vice versa; Indians hurry to quickly put on or rinse off war paint. There are three major battle scenes during the show, and since few women actors are involved in those scenes, most remain backstage, some firing blank rounds from 12-gauge shotguns to make the battle sound louder and larger. Many things impressed me about the cast, but two stand out: The actors seem to truly enjoy what they do, and they work very much as a team. It was also interesting to see how quickly actors can transition in and out of character. For instance, during one scene, Tecumseh (last year played by Clifford Nunley) gives an impassioned speech, then runs offstage. Male and I happened to be standing in the stage tunnel as he passed, and when he saw us — and he knew the audience could no longer see him — he instantly went from running to skipping, to get Male and me to laugh. It worked — we did! Tecumseh!, the iconic story of Ohio’s frontier past, begins its 44th summer season on June 10 at the Sugarloaf Mountain Amphitheater. For tickets, go online to www.tecumsehdrama.com or call 866-775-0700. 

Tecumseh was the Shawnee leader born in Ohio who helped form a large confederacy of Native American tribes that opposed U.S. expansion into the Northwest Territory. The confederacy became an ally of Great Britain in the War of 1812 but disbanded after Tecumseh’s death in 1813. (Photos courtesy of Ohio Stock Photography)

If you go Backstage tours at Tecumseh! are offered each afternoon at 4 and 5 p.m. In recent years, a Living History tour has been added on Saturdays at 3 p.m. Also available is an on-site dinner buffet from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., with the show beginning promptly at 8 p.m. If you’d like to save a few dollars, pack a picnic supper and eat at nearby Great Seal State Park, just down the road from Sugarloaf Mountain Amphitheater. Tecumseh! is family entertainment but is not recommended for children ages 6 and younger because of loud battle scenes. Here’s another viewing tip — one that takes a little preplanning, however. See the show during the night of a full moon. Doing so always adds a bit of natural drama to an already spectacular live presentation.

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ICON

Keim Lumber Charm B Y DA M A I N E VO N A DA

Location: Off St. Rte. 557 in the Holmes County village of Charm. Provenance: In 1911, Amish carpenter and woodworker Moses Keim opened a sawmill in the village of Charm. A planing mill to surface and mold finish lumber was soon added. The company used a 25-horsepower steam engine for power and disposed of sawdust by spreading it over Charm’s dirt streets. By the 1930s, the mill facilities had been enlarged. Keim Lumber significantly expanded in the 1960s, and in 2007, the company opened its retail store, a 125,000-square-feet showroom with a full-fledged residential and commercial design and building center. Significance: The business that began with four employees in 1911 has grown into one of Ohio’s largest lumber and hardware companies. Keim Lumber now employs more than 400 people, and its 40-acre campus in Charm has some 700,000 square feet of

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buildings under roof, including millwork manufacturing facilities, a drying yard, a molding shed, a stain lab, and the showroom store. After 105 years, Keim Lumber continues to be a family business, currently owned and operated by a fourth generation, Robbie Keim and Eric Slabach. The company also remains true to its Amish roots. About 70 percent of Keim Lumber’s employees are Amish. Currently: Aside from being a comprehensive resource for building professionals, cabinet and furniture makers, woodworkers, and hobbyists, Keim Lumber’s spectacular showroom store is a major Charm attraction. “People walk into the store and are just awed by its size and all the beautiful woodwork,” says Micah Yoder, Keim Lumber’s marketing manager. “It’s like the Cabela’s of hardware stores.” Outfitted with elegant character cherry woodwork, the store interior showcases the company’s millwork expertise and craftsmanship.

The store’s millwork department offers stock, as well as custom moldings, casings, stairs, and mantles, and its “woodshed” features exotic woods of more than 100 species from all over the world. One of the woodshed’s highlights is a 500-year-old African bubinga slab, with labels indicating events that occurred during the life of the tree. The label in the center of the slab indicates Columbus’s discovery of America. The store’s other departments include kitchens, plumbing and bathrooms, doors and windows, heating and electrical, flooring, tools, home décor, and lawn and garden. It’s a little-known fact that: The store’s second floor is home to the Carpenter’s Café, an eatery that provides “good food fast, not fast food.”  Keim Lumber Company, 4465 St. Rte. 557, Charm. For more information, call 330-893-2251 or 888-534-6527, or visit www.keimlumber.com.

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The Seven Cooperative Principles

BY SAMANTHA RHODES

Highway 127 yard sale demonstrates Principle 4: Autonomy and Independence In our seven-part series, you’ll learn how the same seven principles that guide cooperatives around the world also guide your local electric co-op, keeping you — a valued member-owner — as the primary focus. Principle 4, “Autonomy and Independence,” reads as follows: “Cooperatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their members.”

Treasures at every turn: 690 miles of bargaining Cars, SUVs, trucks, and trailers line the highway for miles, pulled off into ditches and driveways under the scorching August sun. Their passengers sprint across the

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road, eager to raid dozens of tents crammed with antiques, textiles, crafts, clothes, décor, dusty knickknacks, and — to put it simply — the coolest junk you’ll ever find. But this isn’t your typical closetcleanout. Dubbed “The World’s Longest Yard Sale,” the massive four-day sale spans 690 miles along U.S. 127 from Addison, Michigan, to Gadsden, Alabama, hosting an onslaught of visitors — some from as far away as England and Germany. From its beginning in 1987, the sale’s mission was to pull travelers off the interstate system and back onto the rural roads of America. Now, the sale’s headquarters in

Tennessee estimates more than half a million people attend annually. “You never know what you’re going to see, who you’re going to meet, or what you’re going to bring home,” says Cheri Blankenship, a Hancock-Wood Electric Cooperative (HWEC) member who’s been both a buyer and a seller in the 127 Yard Sale for years. As a couple who married later in life, 61-year-old Cheri and her 71-year-old husband, Van, share an interest in “old” things. Over the years, they’ve discovered an array of primitive collectibles at the sale — a monstrous coffee table built with a poplar log from a 1771 cabin, an original canister corn

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planter, and a purple trailer nicknamed “Barney” that the couple purchased after naïvely running out of hauling space their first year. Cheri even found her wedding dress — a 1930s woven lace gown — for only $25. “I was thrilled to wear it and honor the memory of another happy bride on her own special day,” Cheri says. Though haggling for bargains is their favorite aspect, Cheri and her husband also found themselves renting booth space along the highway to sell their excess of treasures. Though their big-ticket items brought in about $400 in sales a day, Cheri estimates those with numerous quality items could make $100 to $200 per day. “Selling is fun, but make no mistake — it’s hard, hot work!” she says. “You do this as a labor of love. You won’t get rich, but you’ll have a good time.”

Living the Principle Just as the 127 Yard Sale is run solely for and by bargain hunters, your electric co-op is run for and by the benefit of its voting members, who elect the board of directors.

In both cases, people with a common interest have come together to do more than they could achieve independently. At the Yard Sale, each vendor decides what they will sell and where they will operate. Similarly, each electric cooperative is an independent entity, operating with separate boards and staffs, setting their own rates and establishing their own policies, all for the purpose of making decisions in the best interest of their member-owners. Ohio’s electric cooperatives have been following this model since 1935 when individual rural residents across the state united because they had a common interest — to get electricity in their homes and businesses. According to George Walton, CEO and president of HancockWood Electric Cooperative, “Just as individual people make decisions based on their own situations, our individual cooperatives have important differences between one another — our local economies are different; our memberships differ in numbers and diversity; our service territories differ in size and terrain. A board at one cooperative may make deci-

sions that wouldn’t work in another area of the state or country. But what’s important is that what they decide works in their own individual situations. Maintaining our independence is critical to the success of each co-op.” If your co-op does enter into agreements with other organizations, including governments and banks, or if it raises capital from external sources, the cooperative does so only on terms that ensure democratic member control. Because you are both a member and a part owner, you are both your co-op’s decision-making hands and its moving feet — no external group can direct your cooperative. Here’s the bottom line: Whether you’re a yard-sale attendee or an electric co-op member, you’re sure to get a good deal.  SAMANTHA RHODES, a freelance writer from Ney, is a member of North Western Electric Cooperative. This year’s “World’s Longest Yard Sale” takes place August 4 through 7. For more information, go to www.127yardsale.com.

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CO-OP PEOPLE

Meet the

‘Dairy Evangelist’

B Y JA M I E R H E I N

At Snowville Creamery, milk is a particular passion for Warren Taylor ON A ONE-ACRE PATCH surrounded by farmland in Meigs County’s Appalachian foothills, Warren Taylor, a self-described Dairy Evangelist, has poured passion and expertise into a one-word success story — milk. Not just any milk, but the kind from cows milked in the red barn next door. The kind that grandparents remember from their childhoods. The kind that Warren wants every consumer to find in their grocery store. The desire to produce this kind of milk — rich, fresh, and pure — is what inspired Taylor and his wife, Victoria, to open Snowville Creamery, a Buckeye Rural Electric Cooperative member, in the middle of Meigs County’s dairy land. In fact, they are completely surrounded by Brick Farm Dairy’s land, so yes, actual cows do wander past Snowville’s dairy process-

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JUNE 2016

ing facility. This neighboring dairy, like the other ones that supply Snowville, is a small-scale operation that produces milk from grass-fed cows. It’s the taste and texture of milk from grass-fed cattle that the Taylors decided was “perfect” and that they wanted to showcase in their products. Those products, ranging from milk (whole, skim, and chocolate), to crème fraîche and yogurts, are what have resulted from the Taylors’ desire to give their customers perfect products. Besides flavor, there are health benefits for those drinking this type of milk. Grazing most of the day in pastures makes cows’ milk high in omega-3 fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). Both contribute to a healthy brain and heart. Such milk is also higher in beta-carotene, vitamin

A, and vitamin E, making it a “perfect food, and we try not to mess it up,” say Victoria. Not messing up milk is where Warren’s expertise comes in. For 10 years, he put his dairy technology degree from The Ohio State University to work by designing milk production facilities for the supermarket chain Safeway’s dairy division. Later, through his consulting firm, Warren designed facilities for other dairy “big boys” like Dannon and Daisy Brand. But it was the “perfect milk” produced by their neighbors that gave them the idea to go small instead of big, producing milk products on a more limited scale than the large dairies. “Big” producers mix milk from grass-fed cows with milk of mostly grain-fed cows. But going small allowed the Taylors to concentrate exclusively on grass-fed

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cows. The texture, taste, and nutritional value that fuel Warren’s passion remain. To handle the complexities of the dairy business and retain their milk’s wholesomeness, Warren designed Snowville’s facilities to handle every part of the processing operation. Milk is pasteurized to a low 165 degrees for 18 seconds, which kills off pathogenic organisms but retains its fresh, creamy quality. Because the milk is not homogenized, the cream will rise to the top. Shaking before drinking mixes the cream back in, and the result is a more yellow and sweeter-tasting milk than the homogenized version. From carton filling to shipping, the Taylors and their employees handle each part of the creamery’s operations. “Making milk is the easy part. We didn’t know we were also getting into the accounting, marketing, and trucking business,” says Warren. Repairing delivery trucks that traverse bumpy country roads is just another part of the mix. In the balance between sus-

tainability and profit, Snowville’s production changes to fit consumer demand, as the public’s interest in non-genetically modified food rises. The latest addition is a 10,000-gallon storage silo to help Snowville hold the milk it requires for its growing retail market of more than 150 outlets, including big sellers like Whole Foods and small ones like Mustard Seed Market in Akron. Look for Snowville deliciousness throughout Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana, and as far away as Washington, D.C. To find a market near you, go to their website, www.snowvillecreamery.com, and click on “Find a Retailer.” The Taylors now receive milk from 10 other small-scale dairy farms, including their neighbors, now called Melody Holler Farm. This network is vital to both Snowville’s and the dairy farms’ success stories. Freshness is guaranteed: “The day it’s produced, it’s out of here,” says Warren. Snowville’s milk is gaining a following, with its 14-day shelf life ensuring freshness on the day of sale. The Taylors see their non-

genetically modified success story growing, one sample at a time, as people taste the goodness that their grandparents remember.  JAMIE RHEIN is a freelance writer from Columbus. For more information and tours, visit www.snowvillecreamery.com. Look for tasting events wherever Snowville is sold.

Visit Snowville’s annual open house and farm tour On June 11 from 1 to 4 p.m., you can participate in Snowville’s once-ayear celebration of perfect milk goodness. Snowville Creamery’s open house showcases milk production from start to finish. Tour the plant, pet a baby calf, churn butter, and taste Snowville’s bounty. Also, hop on Snowville’s bicycle-powered icecream churn, another one of Warren’s inventions. The neighboring Melody Holler Farm is also open. It’s the only day tours of the milking parlor are held. Snowville Creamery is located at 32623 St. Rte. 143 outside of Pomeroy. Visit their website or call 740-698-2340 for more information.

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From

chewing gum to PVC BY SAMANTHA RHODES

Four innovations with Buckeye roots OVER THE LAST 200 YEARS, Ohioans have made their mark both on commercial industry and in the field of technological innovation. Ohio has served as a state where big ideas reach fruition, giving birth to a number of patents that have influenced today’s society. “Inventions developed by some of Ohio’s leading innovators have had significant impacts on modern life, ranging from conveniences such as the dishwasher and a portable vacuum cleaner to improvements in mass transportation and medicine,” says State Library of Ohio Librarian Beverly Cain. Here are four little-known contributions made by Ohioans.

Chewing gum People worldwide have chewed on various natural materials since the beginning of time, including thickened resin and latex from trees, grasses, leaves, grains, and waxes. According to Wrigley’s, the gum-like resin of spruce trees was sold commercially in the eastern U.S. in the early 1800s, until sweetened paraffin wax surpassed spruce gum in popularity around 1850. Chicle-based gum, derived from the sapodilla tree, was introduced to the U.S. in the 1860s, but the Central American trees couldn’t keep up with demand. To continue business, manufacturers turned to synthetic gum. Toledo resident Amos Tyler was the first to receive a patent for “improved chewing-gum” in July 1869 by combining white rosin and olive oil, according to Ohio History Central, an extensive online encyclopedia maintained by the Ohio History Connection. Months later, dentist William Semple of Mount Vernon patented his own chewing gum compound for jaw strengthening and gum stimulation in December 1869. According to the patent, the gum was produced by dissolving

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rubber in naphtha and alcohol, then mixing it with prepared chalk, licorice root, or “any other suitable material.” Though no evidence can prove Tyler or Semple ever mass-produced chewing gum for sale to the public, gum became and still remains popular, with the average American chewing the equivalent of 200 sticks per year.

Pull-top can Up until 1967, you couldn’t open a canned beverage without purchasing a separate opener known as a “church key.” But according to Ohio History Central, inventor Ermal Fraze was determined to find an easier method of opening drinks after he once had to use his car’s bumper to open beers for his guests at a picnic, soaking himself in the process. First, he designed a can with the opener — a lever — attached. The design, however, created a sharp opening that sometimes cut the drinkers. So Fraze developed another can known as the pull-top can, where users could access the drink by pulling a removable tab. Ohio History Central estimates that it was quickly adopted by more than 75 percent of beer brewers in the U.S. by 1965. Unfortunately, Fraze didn’t receive a patent until October 1967. There were also downsides — some users threw their tabs on the ground or injured themselves by placing the tab inside in the can and then swallowing it. To remedy these issues, Fraze patented the first push-in and fold-back tab in 1977, allowing the tab to remain attached to the can. By 1980, the design earned Fraze’s company — the Dayton Reliable Tool and Manufacturing Company — more than $500 million and is still the principle design used on canned beverages today.

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Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) The versatile material in credit cards, pipes, bumper stickers, luggage, toys, and even automobile interiors was discovered in 1928. Two years earlier, inventor and chemist Waldo Semon was working in a B. F. Goodrich Company research lab in Akron, trying to find ways to keep rubber from aging and cracking, according to the New York Times. In his spare time, Semon researched the qualities of vinyl polymers, experimenting with adhesives for bonding rubber to metal. It never worked — but when he mixed polyvinyl chloride power in a solvent and heated it at high temperatures, he discovered a gelatinous material known as PVC. The new material was malleable, waterproof, and fire-resistant. It also wouldn’t conduct electricity and could be plasticized. Semon received a patent for the material in 1933, soon after it began appearing in shower curtains, umbrellas, and raincoats. Today, the New York Times estimates that vinyl is the second most widely used plastic in the world, with some 44 billion pounds earning producers $20 billion per year.

Single-cylinder automobile Though the automobile’s exact origin is difficult to pinpoint, many expert historians, including the Smithsonian Institute, credit John Lambert of Ohio City with inventing the first gasoline-driven, single-cylinder automobile, built in 1890. Curt Dalton’s book How Ohio Helped Invent the World explains the process: After investing $3,300 to buy a three-cylinder gasoline engine,

Lambert converted it into a one-cylinder engine with a radiator, 7-gallon water tank, and steam vent. His three-wheeled buggy could reach speeds of up to 5 miles per hour. By the time of his death, Lambert held more than 600 patents within the automotive industry.  SAMANTHA RHODES, a

freelance writer from Ney, is a member of North Western Electric Cooperative. To learn more about Ohio history, visit www.ohiohistorycentral.org. To read more about other inventions that came from Ohio inventors, go to www.ohioec.org.

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JUNE 2016 CALENDAR

NORTHWEST – “Fighting for Freedom: WWII in Fulton County,” Fulton Co. Museum, 229 Monroe St., Wauseon, Tues.–Sat. 12–5 p.m. Exhibit shows how everyday life was affected by the war. 419-337-7922 or www.fultoncountyoh.com.

THROUGH NOV. 23

– Black Swamp Historical Farm Implement Show, Auglaize Village, 12296 Krouse Rd., Defiance. Gas engines, tractors, and garden tractors are operated and displayed. Tinsmith at work, as well as wood crafter, candle maker, broom maker, and printer. www.auglaizevillage.com.

JUN. 4, 5

JUN. 9–11 – Cherry Festival, 10802

Waterville St., Whitehouse. Food, beer and wine garden, rides, parade, live music, and fireworks. Free admission. 419-321-6404 or www.awchamber.com/ cherry-fest.html. JUN. 10, 11 – Pork Rind Heritage

Festival, downtown Harrod, Fri. 5–11 p.m., Sat. 11 a.m.–11 p.m. Games, entertainment, 5K run, and, of course, freshly popped pork rinds! 419-230-1946. – Tiffin Music and Art Festival, Hedges Boyer Park, 491 Coe St., Tiffin. 567-207-5041 or www.tiffinmusicandartfestival.com.

JUN. 10, 11

– 60th Annual Wassenberg June Art Show, 214 S. Washington St., Van Wert, 1–5 p.m. Juried art exhibit. Free. 877-989-2282 or www.ohio.org/events.

JUN. 11–JUL. 8

– Pyrate Fest, Put-in-Bay. Pirates invade the downtown harbor! Pirate parade for kids and adults on Sat., with costume contest. Displays, demonstrations, and re-enactors. Cardboard boat races Tues. 6 p.m. 419-285-2832 or www.putinbay.com. JUN. 17–21

– Antique Boat Reunion, Earl’s Island Pavilion, Lake Loramie State Park, Minster, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. See displays of antique boats, motors, and fishing tackle. www.stateparks.com/ lake-loramie.html.

JUN. 18

– International Jazz Festival, “Take Me to the Rivers,” Wild Bill Davison and Milt Buckner, 3rd St. at the Stroede, Defiance. Gates open at 3:30 p.m., children’s events at 4 p.m., music begins at 5 p.m. Free admission. http://visitdefianceohio.com.

JUN. 18

JUN. 24 – Rib Fest 2016, N. Perry St.

Napoleon, 5:30–11 p.m. Taste the best ribs on the Maumee River. Ten to 12 different local vendors. $5. 419-592-1786. JUN. 24–26 , Maria Stein Country

Fest, 2291 St. Johns Rd., Maria Stein. Free entertainment, with performances by Team Rock extreme breaking national champion, plus Tractor Square Dancers. Games, rides, music, and food. 419-925-4532 or www.mscountryfest.com.

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PLEASE NOTE• Country Living strives for accuracy but strongly urges readers to confirm dates and times before traveling long distances to events. Submit listings AT LEAST 90 DAYS prior to the event by writing to Country Living, 6677 Busch Blvd., Columbus, OH 43229 or events@ohioec.org. Country Living will not publish listings that don’t include a complete address of where the event takes place or a number to call for more information. – Crosby Festival of the Arts, Toledo Botanical Garden, Toledo, Sat. 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Sun 10 a.m.–4 p.m. $7 in advance; kids under 12, free. 419-536-5566 or www.toledogarden.org.

JUN. 25, 26

JUN. 30 – Muleskinner Band, Van Wert

Co. Fgds., 7 p.m. Part of Old Fashioned Farmers Days. 419-795-5404.

– Dennison Railroad Festival, Center St., downtown Dennison. 740-922-6776 or www.dennisonrailroadfestival.org.

JUN. 8–11

– Tri-State Pottery Festival, Fifth St. at Broadway, East Liverpool. Celebrate the rich heritage of the “Pottery Capital of the World.” 330385-5394.

JUN. 9-11

– Béla Fleck and the Flecktones, Cain Park, 1823 Lee Rd., Cleveland Heights, 8 p.m. $25–$65. www.cainpark.com. JUN. 10

NORTHEAST – Burgers and Beards Festival, Youngstown, Fri. 5 p.m. to Sat 5 p.m. Midwest Burger Championship Cook-Off offers 17 awards in 7 categories. Rust Belt Whisker Society hosts its annual beard and moustache competition. Live music, entertainment, burger-eating challenge, and a car show. 234-2289158.

JUN. 3, 4

– “What’s in Your Barn?”— Antique Motorcycle Show, 1899 Mahoning Avenue NW, Warren, 12–5 p.m. $8. Features 30 “Barn Find” motorcycles manufactured between 1939 and 1983. 330-394-1899.

JUN. 12

– Dean Martin Festival, S. 4th St., Steubenville, 7–11 p.m. Join other fans to celebrate Dino’s life and accomplishments. $15. 740-283-9164 or www.deanmartinsteubenville.com.

JUN. 16–18

– Rockin’ on the River, Black River Landing, 421 Black River Ln., Lorain, 5:30–11 p.m. Northeast Ohio’s longest-running and highestattended outdoor concert series. Jun. 17 features “The Purple Xperience,” a Prince tribute band. 330-730-7591 or www.rockinontheriver.com.

Coon Club Rd., Medina. Musicians, painters, flow arts, workshops, and kids’ activities. www.facebook.com/deadgrassfestival.

JUN. 4 – International Wine at the Mill,

JUN. 24, 25

Wolf Creek Grist Mill, Loudonville, noon– 11 p.m. Enjoy nearly 100 varieties of international and Ohio wines, domestic beers, live music, and great food. $10 adults over 21, $1 ages 10-20. www.wolfcreekmill.org.

JUN. 24–26

JUN. 3, 10, 17

JUN. 4 – Flea Market on Chardon

Square, 111 Water St., Chardon, 9 a.m.– 4 p.m. 100 vendors. Includes vintage and collectible items. 440-286-1912.

JUN. 16–19 – Dead Grass Festival, 8120

– Ohio Scottish Games, Lorain Co. Fairgrounds, Wellington. www.ohioscottishgames.com. – Cy Young Days Festival, 102 S. Bridge St., Newcomerstown. Grand Parade marshal is Dave Drabek of the Pittsburgh Pirates. 740-498-4545 or www.cyyoungdaysfestival.com. – Lorain International Festival and Bazaar, Black River Landing, Black River Ln., Lorain, 5–11 p.m. Ethnic foods, craft vendors from around the world, and nonstop entertainment. $2 daily. 440-288-2592 or www.loraininternational.com.

JUN. 24–26

– Ohio Valley Frontier Days, Fort Steuben, 120 S. Third St., Steubenville, Sat. 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Re-enactors, demonstrators, musicians, storytellers, artists, and crafters make early American frontier life come alive for visitors. 740283-1787 or www.oldfortsteuben.com.

CENTRAL

– Columbia Antique Gas Engine Show and Flea Market, 25540 Royalton Rd. (St. Rte. 82), Columbia Station, Sat. 8 a.m–5 p.m., Sun 8 a.m.–3 p.m. 440-236-9053 or www.columbiastation.com/ engineshow.html.

– “Celebrating Victoria, the First Woman to Run for President,” Victoria Woodhull exhibit, Robbins Hunter Museum, 221 E. Broadway, Granville, Wed.–Sat. 1–4 p.m. 740-587-0430 or www.robbinshunter.org.

JUN. 4, 5

• JUNE 2016

THROUGH OCT.

– Commercial Point Homecoming, Community Ctr. grounds, Commercial Point, Wed.-Fri. 4-11 p.m., Sat. 11 a.m.-11 p.m.. Rides, food, beer garden, games, parade, fireworks, car show, entertainment. 614-875-5929.

JUN. 1-4

– “Professor of Falsehoods,” OSU Marion, Guthery Room, 7 p.m. Presentation on William Chancellor’s bid to derail the Harding presidency. $10, members $5. 800-600-6894 or www.hardinghome.org. JUN. 2

– Echoes in Time Theatre: She Wants to Vote?, Ohio History Center, 800 E. 17th Ave., Columbus. Listen to an Ohio suffragist recall the struggle of getting women the right to vote. Performances at 1 and 3 p.m. $10. 614-297-2300, 800686-6124, or www.ohiohistory.org.

JUN. 4, 11, 18, 25

JUN. 9–11 – Hot Air Balloon Festival, Coshocton Co. Fgds., Coshocton, Thur. 4–9 p.m., Fri. 11 a.m.–9 p.m., Sat. 6 a.m.–9:30 p.m. fireworks. 740-6224877, 800-338-4724, or www.visitcoshocton.com/hot-air-balloon-festival. – Columbus Arts Festival, downtown riverfront, Columbus, Fri. and Sat. 11 a.m.–10:30 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Free. Features nation’s top artists and craftspeople, live music, theater, dance, hands-on art activities, and gourmet food. 614-224-2606 or http://columbusartsfestival.org.

JUN. 10–12

– Poultry Days, 459 S. Center St., Versailles. Enjoy the worldfamous BBQ chicken dinners and many fun events. www.versaillespoultrydays.com.

JUN. 10–12

– CAPA Summer Movie Series, Ohio Theatre, 55 E. State St., Columbus, Wed.–Sun. 7:30 p.m., Sun. matinee 2 p.m. America’s longest-running classic film series. 614469-0939 or www.capa.com.

JUN. 10–AUG. 7

– Washboard Music Festival, Main St., Worthington Park, Logan, noon–10 p.m. every day. Ohio’s most unique music and arts festival. Also features children’s park with rides. Free. 740-380-2752 or www.washboardmusicfestival.com.

JUN. 16–18

– Ashley Wesleyan Church Car, Truck, and Motorcycle Show, 305 E. High St., Ashley, 6-9 p.m. Bean dinner, trophies, door prizes. 740-8157238 or www.ashleywesleyan.org.

JUN 17

– Coshocton Dulcimer Days Festival, Roscoe Village, 600 N. Whitewoman St., Coshocton. Hear Appalachian and traditional music played on mountain dulcimers, hammered dulcimers, bowed psalteries, fiddles, guitars, banjos, and other instruments. Free admission; workshop fee $15. 740-545-6265 or www.coshoctondulcimerdays.com.

JUN. 17–19

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JUNE 2016 CALENDAR

JUN. 18 – Car Show for MS, F.O.E., 29

Fir St., New London, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Best-dressed ’50s and ’60s costume contest 50/50 drawings, chicken BBQ, games, entertainment. 419-929-5040. – Earth Angel Foundation Super Cruise-In, Car, Truck, and Motorcycle Show, Fairfield Co. Fgds., Lancaster, daytime car show 9 a.m.-5 p.m, evening concert at 7 p.m. 866611-2645.

JUN. 18

JUN. 18, 19 – Strawberry Festival Craft

Bazaar, Jefferson Depot Village, 147 E. Jefferson St., Jefferson, Sat. 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. 12-5 p.m. 614-507-5246 or www.jeffersondepotvillage.org. – Night Haunt at Malabar Farm, Malabar Farm State Park, Lucas. Meet at the Visitor Ctr. Dare to explore the “normal to the paranormal” while exploring murders, cemeteries, and haunted houses. Not for children under 17. $30. 419-892-2784 or www.malabarfarm.org.

JUN. 25

– Dublin Kiwanis Frog Jump, Coffman Park, 5600 Post Rd., Dublin, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. 800-245-8387.

JUN. 25

– Back to Our Roots Antique Show, 735 Lafayette Rd., Medina, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. $6. 419-6515317.

JUN. 25

SOUTHEAST – Nelsonville Music Festival, Hocking College campus, 3301 Hocking Pkwy., Nelsonville. Live music on multiple stages, kids’ activities, local art vendors, food, and a beer garden. Day pass, $50; weekend pass, $70, $140, $350. 740-753-1924 or www.nelsonvillefest.org.

JUN. 2–5

– Gold Wings and Ribs Festival, Main St., Pomeroy. Home of “Ohio's Best Ribs” and “Ohio's Best Wings.” Motorcycles, entertainment, and BBQ. 877-MEIGS-CO or http://goldwingsandribs.com.

JUN. 3, 4

– Guernsey Co. Farmers’ Market, Main St., Cambridge, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.

JUN. 3, 10, 17

– Mound Cemetery Tour: Marietta Politicians, Fifth and Scammel Sts., Marietta, 10 a.m. $5. Learn about some of Marietta’s most noted politicians as you tour the historic cemetery. 740-373-5178 or www.mariettaohio.org.

JUN. 4

– Tecumseh!, Sugarloaf Mountain Amphitheatre, 5968 Marietta Rd., Chillicothe, Mon.– Sat. 8 p.m. $24.95. Witness the epic life story of the legendary Shawnee leader. Backstage tours offered at 4 and 5 p.m., buffet 4:30–7:30 p.m. (additional cost). 740-775-0700, 866-7750700, or www.tecumsehdrama.com.

JUN. 10–SEPT. 3

– Tecumseh “Living History” Tour, Chillicothe, 3 p.m. $5. The one-hour tour takes you back to late 18th-century Ohio to learn more about the lives of the frontier settlers and Shawnee who shaped our history. Devised, written, and directed by cast members of Tecumseh! 866-775-0700 or www.tecumsehdrama.com

JUN. 11, 18, 25

– Marietta Merchants and Artists Walk, 100 Front St., Marietta. Stroll through historic downtown Marietta and Harmar Village to visit more than 35 retail shops featuring local and regional artists. Refreshments, live music. 800-288-2577 or www.mariettaohio.org.

JUN. 12

JUN. 17, 18, 24–26 – Harvey, Players Theatre, 299 Putnam St., Marietta, Fri., and Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 3 p.m. 740-3749434 or www.midohiovalleyplayers.org. JUN. 18 – National Road Bike Show

and Ribfest, downtown Cambridge, 11 a.m.–8 p.m. One of the fastest-growing motorcycle shows in the region. Bike judging, contests, and live music. Beer and barbecue all day. 740-439-2238. – Nathan Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys, with Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, Sugarloaf Mountain Amphitheatre, 5968 Marietta Rd., Chillicothe. Tickets starting at $17.50. 740-775-4100 or www.visitchillicothe.com. JUN. 19

JUN. 24, 25 – National Cambridge Glass Collectors Show and Sale, Pritchard Laughlin Civic Ctr., 7033 Glenn Hwy., Cambridge, Fri. 1–5 p.m., Sat. 10:30 a.m.–4 p.m. $4. www.cambridgeglass.org/glassshow.php. JUN. 24, 25 – Kicking Bear One-on-

One, Deerassic Park Education Ctr., 14250 Cadiz Rd., Cambridge, Fri. 4 p.m.–Sat. 2 p.m. Archery shoot and campout for ages 5 to 15. 740-435-3335 or www.deerassic.com.

SOUTHWEST JUN. 3–5 – Antique Tractor and Machinery Show, Pike Co. Fair Grounds, Piketon. Tractor and machinery displays, craft booths, demonstrations, live entertainment, raffles, daily parades, and kids’ games. 740-2894124.

– Bradford Railroad Museum Festival, 200 N. Miami Ave., Bradford, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. $5. Celebration of 130 years of railroad history. For all age groups and rail fans. 937-552-2196 or www.ohio.org/events/bradford-railroad-heritage-festival. JUN. 4

– Troy Strawberry Festival, downtown Troy, Sat. 10 a.m.–8 p.m., Sun 10 a.m.–6 p.m. More than 70 food booths, all showcasing strawberry dishes and products. Arts and crafts, games for all ages. 937-339-7714 or http://gostrawberries.com.

JUN. 4, 5

– Banana Split Festival, 1326 Fife Ave., Wilmington, Fri. 4–10 p.m., Sat. 12–10 p.m. Free. Celebrate the fabulous ’50s and ’60s at the nation’s only banana split festival. Enjoy free concerts, crafts and collectibles, games, rides, unique food, and, of course, banana splits! Classic car cruise-in Fri. night, car show Sat. 877428-4748 or www.bananasplitfestival.com. JUN. 10, 11

– Old Fashioned Strawberry Festival, downtown Shandon, St. Rte. 126, 4 mi. east of Ross. Enjoy fresh food and produce, including strawberry shortcake and ice cream. Local vendors and artists, antique tractor show, plus live Welsh harp music and organ music. Free. 513-738-4180 or 513-738-0491.

JUN. 11

– Fayette Co. Toast to Summer and Hot Air Balloon Glow, Fayette Co. Airport, 2770 St. Rte. 38, Washington Court House, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Wine tasting and art event with local food, live music, beer garden, ending with a hot air balloon glow. $5 parking. 740-335-0761 or http://fayettecountyohio.com.

JUN. 25

– Keeping the Tradition Pow Wow, 2301 W. River Rd., Dayton, Sat. 12–8:30 p.m., Sun. 12–5 p.m. American Indian men’s and women’s dances, plus traditional arts, crafts, and food. $8; Srs./C. 6-16, $6; under 5, free. Weekend passes available. 937268-8199 or www.sunwatch.org.

JUN. 25, 26

– Historic Home and Garden Tour, Urbana, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Visit the homes and gardens, a historic church, community gardens, and the Johnny Appleseed Museum. Purchase tickets at welcome tent behind 205 S. Main St., Urbana. $15. 937-408-4195

JUN. 25, 26

WEST VIRGINIA – Taste of Parkersburg, Market and 3rd Sts., Parkersburg, 5–11 p.m. $20. Savor food, wine, and beer from local restaurants. 304-865-0522 or www.downtownpkb.com.

JUN. 11, 12

– Hueston Woods Arts and Crafts Fair, Hueston Woods State Park, Pioneer Farm Museum, 6929 Brown Rd., Oxford, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. $4. 513-523-8687.

JUN. 4

– Jungle Jim’s International Beer Fest, Oscar Event Ctr., 5440 Dixie Hwy., Fairfield, 7– 10:30 p.m. 513-674-6000 or www.junglejims.com/beerfest.

JUN. 10–12

JUN. 17, 18

– Bonnybrook Farms Country Fair, 3779 St. Rte. 132, Clarksville, 9 a.m.–9 p.m. Fun for the entire family! Bike races, fishing derby, pony rides, live country music, and more. Enjoy BBQ, farm-fresh sides, and ice cream. $10, C. 5–12 $5, under 5 free.

JUN. 18

– Vectren Dayton Air Show, 3800 Wright Dr., Vandalia. Features the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and the U.S Air Force ACC F-22 Raptor Demo Team, plus other amazing performers and displays. 937-898-5901 or www.facebook.com/VectrenDaytonAirShow.

JUN. 18, 19

JUN. 18–25 – Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure. This biking-camping tour starts at Hamilton and goes through Oxford, Eaton, Brookville, and Miamisburg, about 50 miles per day. 614-273-0811 or www.goba.com.

– Fostoria Glass Convention, 901 8th St., Moundsville, WV. Elegant glass show and sale featuring Fostoria’s hand-painted lamps and glass oil lamps. $5. 304-843-4128 or www.fostoriaglass.org.

– West Virginia State Folk Festival, 6 N. Court St., Glenville, WV. Old-time music, traditional square dancing, and Appalachian arts and crafts. Workshops in music, dance, and crafts, and demonstrations of crafts. 304-462-9644 or www.wvstatefolkfestival.com.

JUN. 16–19

JUN. 30, JUL. 1, 2 –Sternwheel Regatta, Point Pleasant, WV. www.pointpleasantregatta.org.

Ohio Quiz

(Answers from page 39) U

JUN. 20 – Antique and Artisan Show,

20 E. Main St., Tipp City, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Free. Artisans from all over the Midwest. Demonstrations, local food, entertainment, and a farmers’ market. 937-667-0883 or www.downtowntippcity.org/events.html.

1. Geauga Park District 2. Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks 3. Mill Creek MetroParks 4. Five Rivers MetroParks 5. Johnny Appleseed Metropolitan Park District 6. Great Parks of Hamilton County 7. Metroparks of the Toledo Area 8. Farmpark 9. Stark Parks 10. Summit Metro Parks 11. Darke County Park District 12. Ashtabula County Metroparks

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OHIO MARKETPLACE

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OHIO MARKETPLACE

OHIO QUIZ Parks par excellence Since spring is in full swing, this month’s quiz features Ohio’s park districts. We’ll provide the clues about some of the state’s best and biggest green spaces, and naturally, you’ll provide the answers. For example, if the clue is “Nicknamed the ‘Emerald Necklace,’ this northern Ohio nature network includes eight lakefront parks,” the answer would be “Cleveland Metroparks.”

CLUES 1. See the stars and pursue the planets at this park district’s planetarium. 2. It’s a vast, 27,000-acre park system that extends into seven counties. 3. Historic Lanterman’s Mill is one of its landmarks. 4. These Dayton-area waterways — the Great Miami River, Mad River, Stillwater River, Wolf Creek, and Twin Creek — inspired its name. 5. Covering Allen County, it’s named for a legendary nurseryman. 6. This Cincinnati-area park district includes scenic preserves and parks along the Ohio River.

7. Fallen Timbers Battlefield is part of this group of parks. 8. Cows and chickens and piglets — oh my! This family-friendly agricultural center is one of the Lake Metroparks. 9. This set of Canton-area parks includes Magnolia Flouring Mills, an 1834 edifice on the National Register of Historic Places. 10. One of this park system’s early commissioners was Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company founder Frank A. Seiberling. 11. Shawnee Prairie Preserve not only includes wetlands, restored prairies, and a swamp forest but also is the largest park in this countywide network. 12. One of its high points is the picturesque Harpersfield Covered Bridge. ANSWERS ON PAGE 37

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MEMBER INTERACTIVE

When I grow up I like riding my pony named Stormy, and when I grow up, I want to be just like my Paw Paw Don Stover. He goes to sorting events and chases cattle with his horse. It’s a timed event where cattle have numbers on their backs, and we have to put as many cows across the line as we can before time runs out. Paw Paw and I rode in the Pee Pee class. It was so much fun. Sometimes, we practice at home with the cows. I love being on the farm with my Paw Paw. Court Stover (age 3-1/2, son of Pam Stover), Marengo Consolidated EC When I grow up, I would like to be a cowboy with a ranch. My horse would be called Star. And my ranch would be called the Double B Ranch. I’d like to fight Indians. I’d go shoot buffalo to eat. And someday I’ll be a deputy sheriff. Alan Mast (age 9), Fredericksburg Holmes-Wayne EC I can’t wait until I’m older because I can be a teacher. I would be a good one. And I also want to work at Paulding Putnam Electric and work at home and make supper. And also work at a school that has special kids or older people. Those are the places I want to work when I grow up. Amber Stoller (2nd grade, daughter of Kendra), Paulding Paulding Putnam EC I’m a kid now, but when I grow up, here’s my dream of what I want to do. I want to have a normal-sized house on the small side and a Christian wife. I want to live in a nice, quiet neighborhood. I would like to make a living designing and building cars. I would like to have two kids, too. And that will be my dream life. Gavin Moon (age 9, son of Garry and Julia), Canal Winchester, South Central Power As far back as I can remember, I was impressed with the compassion and generosity of my father. He was a pharmacist and ran the local pharmacy. Back then, everyone went to the pharmacist with health questions. Whether it was a common cold or a terminal illness, he was willing to share his medical knowledge in basic terms to ease the stress an illness produces. His compassion was genuine and appreciated. It is because of him I chose my career. I obtained my RN license. After years working in nursing, I returned to school and graduated with a law degree. Combining my nursing and legal knowledge was a way to help others through the confusion and stress of the medical and health insurance fields. I wanted to be like my father when I grew up. I hope I have made him proud. Michele Strelec, Amsterdam Carroll Electric 40

COUNTRY LIVING

• JUNE 2016

See our guidelines and deadlines for future months’ submissions on page 11.

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